Australia Abbott: Leadership vote brought forward

AUSTRALIA’S prime minister, fighting for his political life, has bought forward a party confidence vote on his leadership to Monday.

Tony Abbott said he wanted to hold the Liberal Party ballot sooner as it was important to end political uncertainty.

The vote, called by one of the prime minister’s own MPs, was due to have been held on Tuesday.

Mr Abbott has faced criticism in recent weeks for giving an Australian knighthood to Prince Philip.

His party also lost recent elections in Queensland, with some voters believing the prime minister had failed to make good on his election promises.

Mr Abbott said he wanted the vote completed as soon as possible.

“The last thing Australia needs right now is instability and uncertainty,” he said.

During the secret ballot, Liberal MPs will vote on whether to declare the leadership and deputy leadership positions in their party vacant. 

No party members have yet raised a direct challenge to Mr Abbott.

Australia’s Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, had been touted as a possible contender.

However he gave his backing to the Liberal leader on Sunday, saying: “I support the prime minister.”

Similarly, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, the deputy leader of the Liberal Party, has been spoken of as a possible successor.

She said last week she would vote against the motion.

But she has not ruled herself out of the running if the motion passes and goes to a leadership vote.

The prime minister took office in 2013 promising to end the infighting and instability of the Labor years and reinvigorate the economy.

But he was immediately criticised for slashing spending in areas including universities and his approval ratings have since plummeted.

Last month he found himself in the spotlight after the award to Prince Philip.

Critics said it showed Mr Abbott was out of step with public opinion.